The average monthly temperature in January 2018 in Switzerland was the highest recorded since recording began in 1864, according to Swiss Meteo. Across all Swiss weather stations the average was 0.6 degrees Celsius, a bit above the last record of 0.4 degrees in January 2007. Geneva was particularly warm. There the average for the month […]
Geneva Airport cleans up its emissions but ignores its past
In 2016, the airport says it removed 10,000 tCO2 from the atmosphere, the amount it emitted that year. It has been investing in extracting carbon since 2011. Based on its emissions effort in 2016, it became one of 37 carbon neutral airports, according to airport carbon accreditation. These emissions relate only to the airport and […]
Some Swiss train platforms to go smoke-free in February
From 1 February 2018, Swiss Rail will start trialling smoke-free train platforms in Nyon, Neuchâtel, Basel, Zurich, Chur and Bellinzona. If successful the ban could become permanent and cover all Swiss Rail stations by the end of the year. Some smokers interviewed at Nyon train station by the newspaper Le Matin, described the move as […]
Further heavy snow and rain forecast to hit Switzerland
On 21 January 2018, Meteo News reported that Switzerland is expected to be hit by more heavy snow and rain over the next three days, which will add to the significant snow that has already fallen. The avalanche warning has been raised to 5, the highest level, across much of the Swiss Alps. Further roads […]
Burning trees instead of coal puts forests at risk. Both sides not talking does too.
Scott Poynton, founder of The Forest Trust, in Nyon, reacts to the biomass debate. Last November, two videos hit the airwaves. One by Fern, an NGO against burning trees. Another by Drax, a biomass energy champion. The case for using trees for fuel is that it leaves coal in the ground. Opponents say its the […]
Punishing dogs for barking banned by new Swiss animal welfare rules
Recent changes to Swiss laws regarding animal welfare were not confined to live lobster boiling. Dogs were also considered. Illegal dog trading in Switzerland will soon be easier to spot. Dog sellers must list their address, the dog’s place of origin and where it grew up, in adverts. And more information will be required for the government’s central dog […]
Switzerland bans boiling lobsters alive
Last week, Switzerland’s Federal Council adopted new rules to improve the treatment of lobsters, part of a general revamp of rules on the treatment of animals. Lobsters and other crustaceous animals can no longer be transported on ice or in icy water in Switzerland. Instead they must be kept in a natural environment. In addition, […]
Avalanche cuts Zermatt off from outside world
Yesterday, avalanche dangers in parts of Valais, including Zermatt and Saas Fee reached 5, the highest level, before shifting back to 4, according to the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research. Heavy snowfall strands 13,000 tourists in Swiss Alps https://t.co/tzllxV9FgJ #Zermatt pic.twitter.com/sIgeob96LV — AFP news agency (@AFP) January 9, 2018 Access in and out […]
Swiss Rail cuts train heating to save electricity
During January and February, Swiss Rail is experimenting with lower train temperatures in the hope of cutting its electricity bill. Dubbed the temperature reduction test project, the experiment will be run on the double-decker S-Bahn trains running from Zurich. During winter Swiss Rail heats carriages to 22 degrees. The project, run with Lucerne University, will alternate […]
Why storm Eleanor had two names
The area of low pressure that became a storm was first spotted in early December by experts at the Metrological Institute at the University of Berlin who named it Burglind. The institute has been naming storms since 1954. However, the UK Met Office and Met Eireann, its Irish counterpart, have a pre-agreed list of storm names. Eleanor was next […]
